Looking for some good old fun?? Come to the library and play Pictureka!

Or Apples to Apples Junior!

When: January 29th

Time: 4 p.m.

I know that now a days board games can seem less appealing, especially now that we have all kinds of portable electronics and video games. However, as a child, I remember board games being so much fun! This is why I am very excited to host a board game day event at the library that will hopefully grow and become a monthly event. Lets put our electronics down for one hour and have some good old fashioned fun! What do you say?

Experience the beginning of the Epic Saga on the Big Screen at the Library!

Based on the best-selling young adult thriller, THE MAZE RUNNER is set in a post-apocalyptic world, where Thomas is deposited in a community of young men after his memory is erased. After learning they’re all trapped in a maze, Thomas joins forces with fellow ‘runners’ to not only escape the maze, but solve its riddle and reveal the chilling secret of who brought them there, and why.

Christmas time is here, happiness and cheer -this is the opening line from the song of the same name, from the perennial favorite A Charlie Brown Christmas. Somehow Christmas does not seem complete without all of the movies, books and music. All these things that really get you into the “Christmas spirit”. I have my own holiday traditions. Every year I read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. This timeless story of redemption and second chances always gives me hope. Yes, -things and people CAN change. There are so many different productions of A Christmas Carol that you really have your pick. Everything from A Muppets Christmas Carol and Scrooged, to George C. Scott’s and Alistair Sims” renditions of the miserly Scrooge to several cartoon versions.

I already mentioned A Charlie Brown Christmas which is one of my absolute favorites. With its great score by Vince Guaraldi and its message of the “true meaning of Christmas”,-

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.”

…That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

And so it is. -Well said Linus.

I love so many Christmas movies. From the old classics, such as -It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Holiday Inn, White Christmas and the Bishop’s Wife to “new” classics. Home Alone (and keep the change you filthy animal!), A Christmas Story (You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!), Christmas Vacation, Scrooged (with Bill Murray), Family Man (Nicholas Cage) and Love Actually.

One of my favorites, that many people are not familiar with, is -Meet Me in St.Louis with Judy Garland and Margaret O’Brien. This is the film that brought us Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas -

Is there anything that brings the Christmas feeling quicker than a Christmas carol? Nat King Cole’s The Christmas Song instantly transports you into that “Christmas frame of mind”

Andy Williams reminds us that It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year –

And of course when writing out Christmas cards I usually have to have Bing singing, I’m dreaming of a white Christmas

Listening to Christmas music is such a joyful way to feel that special Christmas glow. May you and your family have all that Christmas entails. Happy Holidays from the Orland Free Library.

Santa himself will share stories and share some Christmas Magic. Santa Storytime will engage children of all ages and give our smaller audience members a time to warm up to this larger than life character. After some fun reading and songs, Santa will stay to meet everyone. It’s a great time to give Santa letters, tell him wish lists and, of course, take lots of pictures!

Come enjoy The Giver on the big screen, based on the beloved young adult novel by Lois Lowry.

The story of a perfect world. Everyone is happy. When Jonas is 18 years old, he is chosen to be the community’s “Receiver of Memories”. He enters into training with an old man called The Giver. Soon, Jonas learns about pain, sadness, war, and all the unhappy truths of the “real” world. Rated PG-13

The Orland Free Library has a storytime created just for infants and toddlers. It begins on Thursday December 4th at 11 a.m.

Come and enjoy songs, bounces, and tickles with your little one every Thursday. We will share board books, interact with puppets, and meet with other parents and babies. All infants and toddlers from newborn to about two and a half years old are welcome.

The program lasts for about a half hour, and is flexible and fun. It is designed to be a “lapsit” program for moms and dads and their little ones, where they can share activities and stimulate those busy little brain cells.

Babies love meeting other babies, so bring your special baby to socialize with other little ones. There’s something for everyone, even babies, at the library!

Posted by Annie, who is looking forward to meeting new friends at Babies & Books.